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Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?

gb Offline greenbear

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I have a surplus of very good AA cell Sony Cycle Energy (rebranded Eneloop) batteries, originally bought for my nipper's toys, but now she's all grown up and the batteries are still good.  I've not really got a use for them but I was looking at my D cell Maglite and started thinking I could maybe use them to power it.  A scout round Amazon and Ebay has revealed a small range of (mainly Chinese made) convertors - they don't really fire my enthusiasm as I was thinking of trying to use a convertor similar to the battery holders in LED Lenser etc torches.  Has anyone tried this mod? If so do you have you had any success and do you have any recommendations for what to use?  Thanks :tu:


gb Offline Sparky415

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #1 on: June 03, 2016, 07:04:08 PM

I have some of these, very cheap crap but seem to work OK in my old Maglight

Something like these...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4pcs-2-Holes-AA-to-D-Size-Plastic-Battery-Converter-Adapter-Case-Tube-Switcher-/181746234585?hash=item2a50eb74d9


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gb Offline greenbear

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #2 on: June 04, 2016, 03:06:50 PM
Thanks Sparky, I did look at those and wondered if they might be a little 'fat' for the barrel as the tolerances are quite tight.  After I posted I had a longer mooch round the internet and found that Eneloop make a carrier that takes 3 x AA cells in a hard plastic D size cartridge - 6 quid a go but I reckon I might get a couple to try.  I reckon 6 x AA cells would give a decent burn time  :tu:


gb Offline Sparky415

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #3 on: June 04, 2016, 06:38:42 PM
GB
My Maglight hardly ever gets used but the 2 eneloops seem to work OK  :tu:
If your 3cell ones turn out OK perhaps you can post a link for me to maybe upgrade one day


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gb Offline greenbear

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #4 on: June 05, 2016, 01:21:10 PM
Hi Sparky, yes I will do - I'll give a review as well.  At the minute I am wondering about buying an AA cell LED Lenser (I've already got an AAA version which I like) and selling the Maglite to pay towards it.  Watch this space  :tu:


us Offline parnass

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #5 on: June 19, 2016, 01:44:40 AM
I use 3 AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium (non-rechargeable) batteries inside a 3C cell Maglite.  The original incandescent bulb has been replaced with an LED upgrade.

The AAA batteries fit inside a section of PVC pipe I cut to fit. 

The weight savings are considerable.
Retired engineer, author.

A man with one multitool always knows exactly which to use. A man with many multitools is never quite sure. - parnass


gb Offline greenbear

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #6 on: July 04, 2016, 10:31:01 PM
An update on the use of AA cells in a D cell Maglite - I just took delivery of a couple of these:

http://uk.picclick.com/4-pcs-Parallel-Adapter-Battery-Holder-Case-Box-351732845976.html

The build quality is not brilliant, but it is okay.  As far as tolerances go within the handle there is loads of room, they are marginally thinner than a D cell and, hence, unlikely to bow enough under the pressure of the tail cap spring to jam. 

Most importantly the D cell Maglite is running quite happily with two of these (6 AA cells) in it  :tu:


gb Offline greenbear

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #7 on: July 04, 2016, 10:32:11 PM
I use 3 AAA Energizer Ultimate Lithium (non-rechargeable) batteries inside a 3C cell Maglite.  The original incandescent bulb has been replaced with an LED upgrade.

The AAA batteries fit inside a section of PVC pipe I cut to fit. 

The weight savings are considerable.

That was an option I looked at too  :tu:


gb Offline Sparky415

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Re: Using AA cells in a D cell Maglite - anyone tried it?
Reply #8 on: July 05, 2016, 06:34:21 AM
Thanks GB  :salute:

They look 10 times better than mine (but mine are still working)  :tu:
Everything’s adjustable


 

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